The word “Professional” was written in large letters on a chalkboard inside the Timberwolves’ locker room Saturday night. Somebody must have written it after the Wolves’ demoralizing 109-89 loss to Memphis at FedExForum.

Before the game, the board was filled with a checklist of items to remind Wolves players of their responsibilities. Whatever game plan Wolves coach Kurt Rambis had intended was never executed, prompting claims from Rambis of a lack of professionalism in his players and an alarming assessment from a frustrated Michael Beasley.

“I feel like everything we’ve been working on since training camp went out the window tonight,” Beasley said. “As of right now, we’re the worst team in the NBA.”

i dont understand why players say these types of things... really, what good will this do for anyone?
it makes him seem like a brat and makes everyone in the organization; from players, to coaches, to owners look like shit and doesnt make being a fan of the team any easier.

"hey world, we suck"... did he really have to get that off his chest? everyone knows they suck, but when it comes out of the mouth of one of the players, it's so much worse.
if you are frustrated, take it out with the coaching staff or teammates, not like this.

Michael Beasley: “Honestly, and I know a lot of people are not going to like that fact that I’m going to say this but I think we are the team to beat. You know, that’s just me and my ego speaking. I think the Lakers are the defending champs two years in a row, I think the Lakers still hold that title. It’s nice to see somebody try to fight back but as of now, the Lakers are still the team to beat.”

i dont understand why players say these types of things... really, what good will this do for anyone?
it makes him seem like a brat and makes everyone in the organization; from players, to coaches, to owners look like shit and doesnt make being a fan of the team any easier.

"hey world, we suck"... did he really have to get that off his chest? everyone knows they suck, but when it comes out of the mouth of one of the players, it's so much worse.
if you are frustrated, take it out with the coaching staff or teammates, not like this.

Beasley still seems immature but I think it's good that he says they are the worst team. Fuel some fire. It's better than being politically correct and saying "we didn't execute well tonight and the opponent capitalized on their opportunities" bullsh!t.

I respect athletes who speak bluntly... a la Charles Barkley. Minnesota sucks, but the season just started. Bring some motivation.

I'd hate for a teammate of mine to go to the media and tell them we are the worst team in the league. If it were coming form guys who are leaders like Kobe, KG, or even SHAQ, it would be taken a different way. But "as of right now", Beasley is nobody, he has a bad rep and plenty to prove himself.

You just can't change some guys. That's why Allen ("Talking about practice?" / "I'm a starter.") Iverson is going to have to play in Turkey to try and earn some money. And Latrell ("I can't feed my family on that") Sprewell is out of the league.

Word to the wise, if I a guy has a bad track record, you're probably not going to change him.

Everyone is leaving out the "as of right now" part of the quotation. The dude said this after a horrible game where the coach said the whole team lacked professionalism.

I guess he of should of just shovelled fake positive horseshit everybody's way.

The man is a basketball player, not a politician.

If Reggie Evans would have run over to the media and said that after a 1W-2L start, I think most Raps fan would a) be surprised that he would publicly throw his team under the bus and b) tell him to take his candies "An' stuff" and shove 'em where the sun don't shine.

Don't get me wrong though, I like Reggie.

The point is that they just started out. You can keep that in house. Picture his dumb ass in that locker room now and what that comment just did for chemistry.